Registered Land (Torrens)

Did you own property previously registered in the Torrens system?

Owners with property previously registered in the Torrens system can get a copy of original records and the Certificate of Withdrawal upon request. This certificate removes any property listed in King County from registration. The property will be treated as any other non-registered property without the restraints and restrictions it previously had when the property was in registration.

State law prevents any land being entered into registration after July 1, 2023 since there is no longer a Torrens (Registered Land) system to enter into records.

Volumes 1-97 of the original records are held at the King County Archives at:

King County Archives
1215 E. Fir St.
Seattle, WA 98104

Volumes 98-104 are digitally stored with the Recorder's Office at:

King County Recorder's Office
201 S. Jackson St., Ste. 204
Seattle, WA 98104

Background on Registered Land (Torrens)

Registered Land was a system that managed approximately 3,500 parcels of land in King County under the Torrens Title Act. The Torrens system maintained ownership records of a specific parcel of land much like a title company. All documents relating to a parcel of land under the Torrens system were maintained in a special index that provided chain of title. A state law passed in 2022 eliminated the Torrens system, removed all land registered in the system, and removed restrictions previously placed on land that was under registration. The withdrawal went into effect on July 1, 2023.